May 25-27, 2029: at Oakland (3)
 

Transaction: Wander hits the IL with his hip strain and 3B Freili Encarnacion is up from Durham. Encarnacion filled in admirably for Marco Luciano in the second half of last season and he'll get to play some with Luciano shifting to SS at times.

Game 1: 8-6 W. WP-Dodson (1-0). S-Diaz (9). Starter-Orze (3.1 6 5 5 2 3). HR-Santana 2 (12). Rays erased 3-0 and 5-3 deficits largely thanks to a pair of 2-run shots from Santana, the second of which put them ahead to stay. Caminero was 2-4 with 2 RBI and the rookie Haro was 3-5 with 2 doubles, a triple and a ribbie.

Game 2: 11-6 W. WP-Dodson (2-0). Starter-German (3.2 7 5 5 2 5). HR-E.Green (5), Santana (13). Rays scored 5 in the first and never trailed, although German couldn't handle the lead given to him. In addition to another Santana 2-run homer, Lee and Luciano each drove in a pair.

Game 3: 7-5 W (10). WP-Diaz (2-2). Starter-Swanda (6 7 5 5 2 6). HR-Santana (14). Swanda put them in an early 5-0 hole before he settled in and the pen was sparkling, buying them time for a comeback which saw Santana come off the bench and hit a 2-run pinch-homer in the 9th, his 4th of the series. Caminero then drove in his 3rd run of the game with an RBI single in the 10th and Elijah Green's RBI double provided insurance as the Rays swept the A's and made it 9 wins in their last 10 and 11 in their last 13. And at least this run has been good enough to propel them into first place as the Jays dropped a couple of games.

Team record: 28-23. Next up: off to Kansas City for 3 games.

May 28-30, 2029: at Kansas City (3)
 

Game 1: 6-2 W. WP-Tavarez (1-0). Starter-Eldridge (1 1 0 0 1 2). HR-Haro (2), Wood (9). Rays won what turned out to be a bullpen game after Eldridge left with back tightness. Haro's 2-run homer in the 1st was the game's big hit.

Transaction: Eldridge goes on the IL but he should be back when his 15 days are up. Daniel Espino is recalled from his rehab assignment and will take Eldridge's spot in the rotation.

Game 2: 3-5 L. LP-Diaz (2-3). Starter-Bradley (5 7 2 2 0 5). Rays took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th when Diaz melted down, giving up the tying run then a 2-run homer to let KC walk it off. Albies drove in all 3 Rays runs with a double and a triple.

Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Acosta (3-1). Starter-Orze (3.2 7 3 3 3 4). HR-Luciano (7). Luciano brought them back from 0-3 down with a solo homer and 2-run double but Acosta gave up a solo homer in the 7th and the Rays dropped the series.

Team record: 29-25. Luckily for the Rays the Jays were swept so the division lead is up to 1 1/2 games. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Chicago against the White Sox.

June 1-3, 2029: at Chicago White Sox (3)
 

Game 1: 6-0 W. WP-German (3-1, 9 2 0 0 1 10). HR-DeLoach (10), Caminero (10), Santana (15). Luis German was flat-out brilliant tonight pitching a 2-hit shutout on 108 pitches, the first of his career as well as his first complete game. Caminero's 2-run homer in the 5th broke it open.

Game 2: 0-3 L. LP-Dodson (2-1). Starter-Swanda (3.2 0 0 0 1 3). As you can tell by Swanda's abbreviated start he was hurt. Fortunately it's only an oblique strain which will keep him out a little over a week. Otherwise Chicago returned the shutout favor and held Rays batters to only two hits.

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-Espino (2-1, 7.2 5 2 2 3 8). S-Diaz (10). HR-Santana (16), Luciano (8). Daniel Espino was excellent in his spot start, taking a shutout into the 8th before leaving with two men on, men who scored when Jovani Moran gave up a 3-run homer to let Chicago back in it. Edwin Diaz had the shakiest of saves, loading the bases but striking his way out of it.

Team record: 31-26. Toronto also took 2 of 3 so the division lead remains 1 1/2. Next up: 4 games in Boston.

June 4-7, 2029: at Boston (4)
 

Game 1: 8-4 W. WP-Bradley (6-1, 7 6 1 1 1 5). HR-Santana (17), Haro (3). Taj was dazzling and the rookie Haro had a big game with 2 doubles and a 2-run homer while Santana's 3-run shot in the 4th got them going.

Game 2: 0-12 L. LP-Orze (2-3, 4.1 5 4 4 1 5). It was a game as ugly as the scoreline indicated and Orze's struggles continue as his ERA is up to 6.53.

Game 3: 8-4 W. WP-German (4-1, 5 4 2 2 2 8). HR-Haro (4). Santana's 2-run single in the 6th broke a 2-2 tie and Haro's 2-run homer broke it open as Luis German turned in another fine start.

Transaction: JP Sears is activated from his rehab assignment and will get a start in the finale with Swanda still hurting. Andri Tavarez was DFA'd to make room.

Game 4: 3-4 L. LP-Sears (0-2, 4 8 4 4 1 1). HR-Caminero (11). JP Sears wasn't terribly effective in his return from the IL and the bats couldn't come all the way back.

Team record: 33-28. Toronto has gotten insanely hot, winning 7 straight and a result moving back past the Rays into first by 1/2 game. Next up: The good news is we're home. The bad news is that it's three games against the 39-23 Diamondbacks.

MLB News: The once-great Noah Syndergaard, who is currently with Durham, announced his retirement at the end of the season.

June 8-10, 2029: vs Arizona (3)
 

Game 1: 7-3 W. WP-Espino (3-1, 6.2 6 2 2 1 7). HR-Wood (10). A huge day for James Wood who hit a grand slam and a 2-run double to give him a 6-ribbie day. Espino was outstanding again in another start and may end up keeping his rotation spot.

Game 2: 0-2 L. LP-Bradley (6-2, 7.1 7 2 2 0 2). A fine start from Taj was wasted as the offense had its chances, leaving 10 men on base. To make matters worse, Ozzie Albies was hit in the face with a pitch and suffered a broken cheekbone which will sideline him for six weeks.

Transaction: Albies goes on the IL and Max Viera, up in past seasons, is recalled from Durham.

Game 3: 4-3 W (11). WP-Okuda (2-3). Starter-Swanda (6 5 3 3 2 5). HR-Haro (5), Luciano (9). Rays came back from a 3-0 deficit and won it in the 11th on an Arizona error. The rookie Haro had another nice game with a solo homer and an RBI double which tied it up.

Team record: 35-29. We moved back into first place by 1/2 game after Toronto dropped 2 of 3 to the Dodgers. Next up: San Francisco visits for 3 games.

June 11-13, 2029: vs San Francisco (3)
 

Game 1: 2-3 L. LP-Ramirez (0-1). Starter-German (5 2 1 1 3 8). HR-Wood (11). Another brilliant start for German was wasted thanks to a lack of offense and Santana's dropped fly ball in the 7th which led to a pair of unearned runs. Caminero was 3-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

Game 2: 4-8 L. LP-Orze (2-4, 4.1 5 2 2 1 3). Orze has been terrible this year so expectations were low coming in but he wasn't the problem - it was the bullpen as Sears and Dodson combined to allow 6 runs. Haro was 3-5 with a double and RBI.

Transaction: Bryce Eldridge comes off the IL to start the finale and Roel Ramirez is DFA'd. He'll take Orze's place in the rotation as Daniel Espino keeps his.

Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-Diaz (3-3). Starter-Eldridge (7 4 1 0 1 3). HR-Wood (12), Santana (18), E.Green (6), Haro (6). Disaster averted as the Rays held a 5-1 lead on Santana's 3-run homer and a great return outing from Eldridge before Trey Riley blew it allowing 4 runs in the 8th. But it was Nelson Haro to the rescue as the rookie capped another 3-hit day by walking it off in the 9th with a homer to salvage a game from this series.

Team record: 36-31. Fortunately the Jays dropped 2 of 3 in Arizona so we remain 1/2 game up on them. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Minnesota against the 41-27 and Central-leading Twins, holders of the best record in the AL.

MLB News: Boston's Trevor Story hit career homer #300.

June 15-17, 2029: at Minnesota (3)
 

Game 1: 4-11 L. LP-Dodson (2-2). Starter-Espino (4 7 2 2 2 4). HR-Franco (7). A close game got away in the 7th when Minnesota scored 7 times, including 5 off Charlie Ruegger and as a result a brilliant game from Wander (4-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) was wasted.

Game 2: 2-6 L. LP-Bradley (6-3, 4.2 8 5 5 2 4). HR-Santana (19), Franco (8). Once again a big inning was the Rays' undoing as Bradley was hit for 4 runs in the 5th to break open a 1-0 game.

Game 3: 6-3 W. WP-Swanda (3-4, 7.2 6 0 0 1 3). S-Diaz (11). HR-Caminero (12), Santana (20). Swanda was excellent but with a 6-0 lead into the 9th, Eric Orze gave up 3 runs and put two more men on, necessitating Diaz to come in for the save as Orze can't seem to get it done in the pen either. Santana's 3-run shot in the 7th put the game away and turned out to be the difference.

Team record: 37-33. Toronto swept its series, dropping the Rays 1 1/2 games behind in the AL East and they're also 1 back of the third wild card. Next up: The Mets come to the Trop for 2 games.

Some news:

It was announced today that Tampa Bay left fielder Natanael Santana has been acclaimed by the American League as the Player of the Week for his outstanding play last week.

Santana posted a .478 batting average as he collected 11 hits in 23 at-bats, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.

So far this season Santana is hitting .287 with 20 home runs.

Also some other news, not as good: Grayson Rodriguez's comeback attempt for 2029 is over as he left his second rehab start at Durham and will have surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. His ratings were already seriously downgraded (essentially to replacement-level starting pitcher) so it's possible he doesn't pitch for us (or anyone) again as we still have him under contract for 2030.

June 18-19, 2029: vs NY Mets (2)
 

Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Riley (1-1). S-Diaz (12). Starter-German (4.1 6 4 4 2 6). HR-DeLoach (11), Rivera (3). B.Jordan (3). Looked like a long night at the Trop when German struggled and the Rays were down 5-0 in the 6th. But a 3-run rally keyed by a 2-run Wood double got them back in it and Blaze Jordan completed the comeback with a 3-run homer in the 8th.

Transaction: Signed free agent 2B Kolten Wong to a minor league deal with a $130K bonus, added Wong to the active roster, DFA'd IF Brooks Lee. Wong was the best free agent still sitting out there and with Albies still out for another month we needed better than Lee, who was hitting 126/198/195. Wong's 10-15 HR power and .250-.260 BA isn't sexy but it's an upgrade.

Game 2: 4-2 W. WP-Eldridge (7-2, 7 5 1 1 3 4). S-Acosta (1). HR-Rivera (4), F.Encarnacion (1). Eldridge was excellent and Angel Rivera homered for the second straight day, this one a 3-run shot in the 4th which provided the necessary offense as the Rays sweep the 2-game mini-series at home.

Team record: 39-33, 1/2 game behind Toronto. Next up: We're off to Citi Field to play 2 more against these same Mets.

MLB News: A milestone was reached in the first game of the series when Mets 3B Matt Chapman hit career homer #300.

June 20-21, 2029: at NY Mets (2)
 

Game 1: 3-6 L (13). LP-Orze (2-5). Starter-Espino (5 4 0 0 4 4). HR-Rivera (5). Angel Rivera's 3-run homer marked the third straight game he's gone deep and gave the Rays a 3-0 lead but Trey Riley blew the lead in the 7th, giving up a 3-run shot of his own and then in the 13th Orze gave up a 3-run homer to Andy Pages to lose it. The bats only managed 5 hits through 13 innings.

Game 2: 2-3 L (11). LP-Sears (0-3). Starter-Bradley (5.2 5 1 1 2 4). Deja vu all over again as the Rays gave up a 2-1 lead in the 8th (thanks, Okuda) and lost it in extras. The offensive has been anemic in wasting a pair of good starts in this series with only seven hits today.

Team record: 39-35. Toronto won both its games so the Rays have dropped 2 1/2 back. Next up: 3 games in St. Louis, where the Cards are 35-39.

June 22-24, 2029: at St. Louis (3)
 

Game 1: 7-5 W. WP-Swanda (4-4, 5 11 4 4 1 3). S-Riley (2). HR-Franco (9). Swanda and the staff gave up 14 hits, but 3 DPs and a man thrown out at the plate allowed them to avoid too much danger and Wander had a huge game with 2 doubles, a homer and 3 RBI. Luciano was also 2-3 with 2 RBI.

Game 2: 2-3 L. LP-German (4-2, 6 5 3 3 1 8). HR-Franco (10). A tough one for the Rays as German gave up a 2-run homer to Henry Davis that was the difference.

Game 3: 9-2 W. WP-Eldridge (8-2, 5 4 2 2 3 8). HR-Haro (7), Franco (11), Luciano (10), E.Green (7). Luciano's grand slam capped a 5-run 7th and broke open a 3-2 game in the Rays' favor.

Team record: 41-36. Toronto also won 2 of 3 so the Rays remain 2 1/2 behind in the division, although they did move into the third wild card, 1/2 game ahead of Oakland. Next up: An off-day then 39-39 San Diego comes to the Trop for 3 games.

June 26-28, 2029: vs San Diego (3)
 

Game 1: 3-7 L (11). LP-Diaz (3-4). Starter-Espino (3.2 5 3 3 4 7). HR-Franco (12), DeLoach (12). Rays had a great chance to win this in the 9th with men on 1st and 3rd and 1 out but couldn't get the runner home and the Padres got a 2-run homer off Edwin Diaz in his second inning of work to pull out the win. DeLoach and Wander (who homered in his fourth straight game) combined for 7 of the Rays' 10 hits.

Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Diaz (4-4). Starter-Bradley (6.2 4 1 1 2 8). HR-Luciano (11). Kolten Wong's first big hit as a Ray was a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 9th as Taj was brilliant and deserved a win.

Game 3: 3-2 W. WP-Acosta (4-1). S-Okuda (2). Starter-Swanda (6 6 2 2 2 4). HR-Santana (21), Luciano (12), Haro (8). Haro's homer in the bottom of the 8th broke a 2-2 tie and with key arms in the pen exhausted from the previous two nail-biters we held our breath and went with Okuda to close it out, and sure enough he got the final two outs. Somehow despite scoring 8 runs in the 3 games the Rays took the series.

Team record: 43-37. Still 3 1/2 back of Toronto and now 1/2 back of Oakland for the third wild card. Next up: We're off to Wrigley for 3 against the Cubs.

2029 Midseason Review
 

It's been a trying year for the Rays, who got off to a poor start and have struggled to stay more than a few games above .500. Diego Cartaya is missed behind the plate, and the bullpen lost several key arms from last year and neither have been adequately replaced. Throw in injuries (Wander and Albies have barely played together this year as or the other's been hurt quite a bit) and what you see is the end result. And it's doubtful we pick up a sparkplug rental like Riley Greene was last year.

https://i.imgur.com/aGsrKN2.png

We're lucky Toronto is playing as well as they did last year or we'd be 10 out, but they have played a lot better of late in opening up the 3 1/2-game lead. My biggest regret of the offseason was not signing Corbin Carroll late in the offseason when he was still sitting out there; while he was coming off only a 2.3 WAR season he ended up signing for the Dodgers for only $3.3M on a one-year deal and now he's leading the NL in batting average and already worth 2.7 WAR. At the time I didn't think he was a significant improvement over Santana or Wood but now it's apparent he was (at least w/r/t Wood).

https://i.imgur.com/J5Xzafm.png

Mediocrity is thy name. Actually the offense is worse than mediocre which is why despite a horrific 6-16 record in one-run games, we're only one game worse than our Pythagorean record. The only thing we do well at the plate is hit homers but so many of them are of the solo variety. We're doing well at run prevention (2nd in the AL) thanks to an excellent starting rotation and despite how bad Eric Orze was in pitching himself out of it. The bullpen is brutal though - while Edwin Diaz is still very good as the closer, getting the ball to him is the big problem.

https://i.imgur.com/CltcYB1.png

Missing Wander for 20 games and Albies for 20 games (and counting, he'll miss most of July) has been a problem and James Wood continues to confound - the scouts upgraded his contact tool to 60 and he has 65 power, but little of it seems to be translating to game action. But it's the Cartaya to Angel Rivera dropoff that might be the steepest in the lineup. And as you can see all the bench bats have been lousy as well.

https://i.imgur.com/z2kJBBd.png

The better half of the team, at least as far as the rotation and a few of the relievers go. You can see how bad some of the other relievers have been with their names at the bottom of the sorted-by-ERA list here. And then there's Orze, who basically assured us of losing every fifth day until he was yanked from the rotation. He was without a doubt BABIP-unlucky, but there was nothing unlucky about him allowing 11 HR in 59 IP.

And there really isn't any help forthcoming from the farm now that Nelson Haro is up:

https://i.imgur.com/3fTbgiy.png

All of the "top" guys, such as they are, play in A-ball or lower as this system has really gone to seed. Drafting near the end of the 1st round hasn't helped, but I need to put more money into player development or hire better coaches.

So we'll see how the second half goes; hopefully we can at least limp into a wild card spot. But it appears the dominant run which brought three titles in four years from 2024-27 is coming to an end.

June 29-July 1, 2029: at Chicago Cubs (3)
 

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-German (5-2, 5 3 1 0 4 4). S-Riley (3). HR-E.Green 2 (9). Elijah Green hit a pair of 2-run homers to lead the Rays to victory with six pitchers combining to hold the Cubs to one run.

Game 2: 3-6 L. LP-Eldridge (8-3, 4.1 6 5 5 2 4). HR-Haro (9), Encarnacion (2). Nelson Haro and Freili Encarnacion each had 4-hit games with a homer but none of their teammates picked up the slack and Eldridge's rough outing doomed them.

Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Dodson (2-3). Starter-Espino (4 5 3 3 3 3). Rays had a 3-1 lead into the 5th before Espino put two on before Dodson came in and gave up a 3-run homer. Despite several chances to tie or go ahead Tampa Bay couldn't come up with the big hit and lost the series.

Team record: 44-39. We're now 5 1/2 behind Toronto as the division drifts out of sight, and up 1/2 game over Oakland in the third wild card. Next up: 4 games in New York against the Yankees.

July 2-5, 2029: at NY Yankees (4)
 

Game 1: 2-7 L. LP-Bradley (6-4, 3 5 1 1 1 3). HR-Luciano (13). A disaster of a day in more ways than one as Taj Bradley, 3rd in the AL and 5th in MLB in ERA at 2.95, tore a meniscus and is done for the year, further thinning our already-weak pitching depth. The pen was terrible behind him, but the offense didn't do much either.

Transaction: Bradley goes on the 15-day IL for now and we acquired reliever Jake Cousins from Atlanta for a minor leaguer not worth mentioning. Cousins is rated 65/45/55 so good stuff when he keeps the ball in the park. JP Sears, who has been uncharacteristically lousy this year in relief, will now get a shot in the rotation.

Game 2: 2-4 L. LP-Swanda (4-5, 5 8 4 4 1 4). The losing streak reached 4 as the bats were limp again with only Haro's 3-4 with an RBI double worthy of mention.

Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-Riley (2-1). S-Diaz (13). Starter-German (4.1 5 3 3 2 8). HR-DeLoach (13). Finally back in the win column thanks to a big late comeback. Down 5-2, DeLoach's 2-run shot in the 7th got them back in it, Encarnacion's RBI single in the 8th tied it and Santana's grounder in the 9th with the bases loaded was muffed to allow the winning run. DeLoach had a 3-hit, 3-RBI day overall.

Game 4: 8-5 W. WP-Orze (3-5). S-Diaz (14). Starter-Eldridge (4.2 11 3 3 0 3). HR-Santana (22), Rivera (6). Rays salvaged a split but nearly frittered away an early 6-0 lead in this one. Santana's 3-run homer in the first was the big hit but Eldridge didn't really have it today although he limited the damage, giving up 11 hits and 2 homers but only 3 runs, Orze got the win despite allowing two more homers including an inside-the-parker and New York got within 6-5 but Rivera's 2-run shot in the 8th provided much-needed breathing room.

Team record: 46-41. Now 6 1/2 back in the division but still 1/2 game up in the third wild card (actually the second, tied with the Angels).

MLB News: Veteran Dodgers closer Emmanuel Clase picked up save #300.

July 6-8, 2029: at San Antonio (3)
 

Game 1: 5-4 W (10). WP-Acosta (5-1). Starter-Espino (4 6 3 3 4 2). HR-Wood (13), Rivera (7). Rays wiped out an early 3-0 deficit to take this one as Wood's RBI single in the 10th was the winner and Rivera's 3-run shot in the 6th keyed the comeback. Acosta went the final 3 scoreless for the win.

Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Orze (4-5). Starter-Sears (4.1 5 1 1 3 6). HR-Wong (1). Caminero had a big RBI double while Wong doubled and hit his first Rays homer. Orze got Sears out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed to earn the win.

Game 3: 4-8 L. LP-Swanda (4-6, 2.1 8 8 8 1 2). HR-Wong (2). Swanda pitched his worst game in six seasons as a Ray, putting them down 8-0. Wong had another good day with two doubles and a homer.

Team record: 48-42. Toronto was surprisingly swept by the 28-59-coming-in Brewers so we've moved within 4 1/2 of the division lead and now sit in the second wild card spot. Next up: the All-Star break then 4 games in Baltimore beginning on Thursday. Also the draft beckons.

All-Star Break 2029
 

The rosters:

American League:

SP Robert Ahlstrom (TEX)* - 12-3, 2.19 ERA, 131.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 11.4 K/9, 5.0 WAR
SP Brandon Barriera (KC) - 8-4, 3.04 ERA, 121.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Taj Bradley (TB) - 6-4, 2.95 ERA, 103.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.6 WAR (Injured)
SP Tanner Houck (OAK) - 8-6, 3.24 ERA, 100.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.5 WAR
SP Jacob Lopez (HOU) - 5-3, 3.96 ERA, 72.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 0.9 WAR
SP Dakota Stone (BOS) - 9-3, 3.53 ERA, 109.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Franklin Torrado (OAK) - 10-6, 3.00 ERA, 135.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 4.1 WAR
SP Ryan Weathers (LAA) - 7-5, 3.33 ERA, 100.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.6 WAR
RP Mick Abel (MIN) - 1-4, 17 SV, 2.37 ERA, 57.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, 1.4 WAR
RP Edwin Díaz (TB) - 4-4, 14 SV, 1.87 ERA, 33.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 15.0 K/9, 0.8 WAR
RP Juan Garza (TOR) - 1-1, 6 SV, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
RP Ofelky Peralta (NYY) - 3-1, 2.82 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, -0.1 WAR
CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE) - 0-3, 31 SV, 4.17 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 1.6 WAR
CL Billy Sullivan (OAK)* - 1-2, 20 SV, 1.64 ERA, 33.0 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 13.6 K/9, 1.0 WAR
C Jorge Francois (CLE) - .287/.357/.517, 209 AB, 13 HR, 1 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Reese McGuire (DET) - .251/.329/.409, 215 AB, 5 HR, 94 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
C MJ Melendez (KC) - .225/.313/.455, 253 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 104 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .304/.375/.527, 148 AB, 7 HR, 142 wRC+, 1.9 WAR (Injured)
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .310/.382/.532, 342 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
1B Teoscar Hernández (MIN) - .326/.392/.544, 331 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 154 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B Drew Wiegman (CLE) - .264/.318/.580, 348 AB, 32 HR, 6 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Euribiel Angeles (OAK) - .352/.412/.451, 344 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
2B Bo Bichette (TOR)* - .368/.427/.663, 329 AB, 23 HR, 5 SB, 194 wRC+, 6.0 WAR
2B Noelvi Marte (SEA) - .265/.320/.494, 336 AB, 22 HR, 4 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
2B Ryan Reckley (MIN) - .294/.350/.456, 327 AB, 5 HR, 21 SB, 117 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
3B Luisangel Acuna (TEX) - .283/.381/.470, 321 AB, 11 HR, 12 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .233/.326/.470, 317 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 112 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
SS Wander Franco (TB)* - .320/.396/.523, 266 AB, 12 HR, 9 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
LF Jackson Castillo (NYY) - .304/.397/.588, 306 AB, 23 HR, 166 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
LF Alex Kirilloff (MIN) - .332/.375/.552, 355 AB, 20 HR, 3 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
LF Ismael Mena (BAL) - .273/.367/.577, 293 AB, 25 HR, 8 SB, 151 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
LF Juan Soto (CLE)* - .268/.450/.544, 272 AB, 21 HR, 4 SB, 173 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .361/.434/.716, 296 AB, 31 HR, 15 SB, 209 wRC+, 5.6 WAR
CF Mike Trout (LAA) - .253/.398/.493, 292 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
RF Ketel Marte (BOS) - .300/.373/.451, 317 AB, 7 HR, 122 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
RF Shohei Ohtani (LAA)* - .275/.394/.654, 153 AB, 17 HR, 5 SB, 178 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
RF Luis Rodriguez (LAA)* - .298/.398/.466, 208 AB, 8 HR, 6 SB, 138 wRC+, 1.5 WAR (Injured)


National League:

SP Sandy Alcantara (LAD) - 9-4, 2.81 ERA, 102.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Corbin Burnes (SD) - 11-5, 3.72 ERA, 121.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Deivi Garcia (ARI)* - 9-4, 4.12 ERA, 109.1 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.8 WAR
SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI) - 10-5, 3.91 ERA, 117.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Max Meyer (MIA) - 5-3, 2.71 ERA, 83.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Jaron Nevarez (COL) - 5-3, 2.30 ERA, 62.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 9-3, 2.84 ERA, 123.2 IP, 0.90 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, 3.3 WAR
RP Julian Fernandez (STL) - 5-2, 2.36 ERA, 45.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Ethan Roberts (CHC) - 1-4, 2.51 ERA, 57.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Ricky Tiedemann (WSH) - 2-0, 1.43 ERA, 50.1 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 1.6 WAR
CL Josh Hader (MIL) - 4-2, 17 SV, 0.47 ERA, 38.2 IP, 0.62 WHIP, 14.7 K/9, 2.5 WAR
CL Luis Montas (ARI)* - 1-3, 10 SV, 1.39 ERA, 32.1 IP, 0.84 WHIP, 11.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Will Vest (ATL) - 4-0, 25 SV, 0.64 ERA, 42.1 IP, 0.80 WHIP, 14.2 K/9, 2.0 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)* - .258/.337/.497, 155 AB, 12 HR, 128 wRC+, 1.3 WAR (Injured)
C Ivan Herrera (MIA) - .223/.337/.375, 224 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 100 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
C Keibert Ruiz (WSH) - .299/.361/.477, 174 AB, 5 HR, 124 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
C Tyler Stephenson (CIN) - .235/.333/.354, 260 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 91 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
1B Alex Ballesteros (CIN) - .272/.338/.551, 334 AB, 25 HR, 136 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
1B Stephon McNeil (CHC)* - .315/.383/.610, 346 AB, 27 HR, 166 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
2B Nolan Gorman (ARI)* - .277/.326/.556, 329 AB, 25 HR, 129 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
2B Jonathan India (SA) - .239/.337/.471, 297 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 120 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
2B Jorge Polanco (NYM) - .277/.342/.488, 332 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 125 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
2B Trea Turner (CHC)* - .312/.367/.518, 359 AB, 17 HR, 4 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.1 WAR (Injured)
3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)* - .296/.407/.571, 294 AB, 22 HR, 5 SB, 165 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
SS Edwin Arroyo Jr. (SF) - .259/.344/.377, 239 AB, 5 HR, 6 SB, 101 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
SS Jacob Gonzalez (ARI) - .267/.313/.521, 330 AB, 23 HR, 4 SB, 118 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
SS Francisco Lindor (NYM)* - .250/.347/.435, 308 AB, 13 HR, 7 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF Corbin Carroll (LAD) - .332/.399/.508, 313 AB, 9 HR, 13 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
LF Dean Moss (CHC) - .272/.372/.501, 335 AB, 22 HR, 138 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
LF Spencer Torkelson (WSH)* - .312/.390/.628, 317 AB, 27 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 4.2 WAR (Injured)
LF Zac Veen (COL) - .295/.348/.607, 346 AB, 26 HR, 5 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF Byron Buxton (PHI) - .293/.329/.617, 311 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
CF Dylan Carlson (STL)* - .274/.349/.524, 340 AB, 21 HR, 19 SB, 137 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
CF Daulton Varsho (ARI) - .281/.366/.541, 303 AB, 16 HR, 138 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) - .269/.374/.525, 301 AB, 19 HR, 8 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
RF Joey Gallo (STL)* - .237/.336/.529, 240 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
RF Aaron Judge (ARI) - .274/.365/.589, 248 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 154 wRC+, 2.7 WAR

Among the three Rays selected it's the 1st nod for Taj Bradley, who unfortunately will be out injured, the third for Edwin Diaz and the 7th for Wander Franco.

The Home Run Derby (with no Rays included unsurprisingly):

https://i.imgur.com/Pt4PnYx.png

The game:

https://i.imgur.com/JOGf3ef.png

Not exactly a midsummer classic with Wander going 0-1 with a walk and Diaz pitching around a leadoff walk to throw a scoreless 8th for a hold.

The 2029 Amateur Draft
 

https://i.imgur.com/jdTmO01.png

Dreher:

https://i.imgur.com/82cSqv9.png

A high-school kid from Missouri with tremendous potential but will have to develop that changeup.

Irizarry:

https://i.imgur.com/YcxDxBY.png

Taken with our supplemental pick for losing Diego Cartaya to free agency, Irizarry is a bit of a risk as the University of Michigan product is going to have to hit lots of dingers to have value as he can't play defense or likely hit for average. We'll have to hope he grows up to become Kyle Schwarber.

Valenzuela:

https://i.imgur.com/orkzbTL.png

After going way under-slot on Irizarry we made up for hit by going well over-slot on Valenzuela, who could be the best player we draft this year given his abundance of tools. The Illinois high-schooler "looks like a potential regular in a key role for a contending team" according to our head scout Rob Metzler.

Castro:

https://i.imgur.com/U21Q8x2.png

Less exciting than the preceding picks, this California high-schooler does have decent hitting potential and came cheap.

Echevarria:

https://i.imgur.com/aoaVJn9.png

He's probably destined for the bullpen but this Puerto Rico product could still be a really good one.

Cantu:

https://i.imgur.com/hMxJvId.png

High school 1B from cold-weather states (New Jersey here) aren't the optimal picks to make but at least he shares his surname with a former Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays all-star, Jorge Cantu.

July 12-15, 2029: at Baltimore (4)
 

Game 1: 4-5 L. LP-Eldridge (8-4, 5.2 10 5 5 1 6). Rays were up 4-1 in this one thanks to 3 RBI from DeLoach, including a 2-run double but Eldridge imploded in the 6th and to add insult to injury it was former Ray Yandy Diaz with a 3-run homer to provide the difference.

Game 2: 5-3 W. WP-Swanda (5-6, 5 3 3 3 4 4). S-Diaz (15). HR-Rivera (8). Angel Rivera's 2-run homer in the 6th broke a 3-3 tie while DeLoach had another big day with 3 hits including an RBI double and an RBI triple.

Game 3: 2-1 W. WP-Moran (1-2). S-Diaz (16). Starter-German (4.2 5 1 1 2 6). HR-Rivera (9), Wong (3). Kolten Wong's homer in the 9th won it for the Rays as he's given the squad a real boost since signing as a free agent (300/402/543).

Game 4: 0-2 L. LP-Sears (0-4, 5.1 6 2 2 2 4). The bats were woeful today scratching out only four hits as a team hovering just above .500 did what you'd expect in a four-game series: split it.

Team record: 50-44. Still 4 1/2 behind Toronto and still in the second wild card, 1/2 place ahead of third and two ahead of fourth. Next up: An off-day then Colorado visits for 3. At 49-45, the Rockies are kind of our doppelgangers.

MLB News: Toronto's star SS Tim Anderson will miss 5 weeks with an elbow strain.

July 17-19, 2029: vs Colorado (3)
 

Transactions: Finally had it with James Wood (190/280/354, 108 Ks in 311 AB) despite his good ratings and was optioned to Durham while Mitsuyoski Arakawa was recalled to play RF against righties. Arakawa won't hit for average, but has power, speed, and can play RF (70). Also Walt Khattak was activated from his rehab assignment and will rejoin the rotation, taking the place of Daniel Espino who was DFA'd. Espino cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Durham.

Game 1: 1-4 L. LP-Khattak (2-4, 5 9 2 2 3 1). HR-E.Green (10). Colorado left 14 on base or the score would have been a lot worse as you can see from Khattak's line.

Game 2: 4-0 W. WP-Eldridge (9-4, 6 4 0 0 3 6). HR-Santana 2 (24), Luciano (14). Santana hit a pair of solo homers, Eldridge was excellent and so was the pen.

Game 3: 3-12 L. LP-Swanda (5-7, 3 6 7 7 2 3). Rays were actually ahead 3-1 after 3 before Swanda lost it and then Orze poured gasoline on the fire, walking four and giving up two hits while only getting three outs. Swanda has seen his ERA rise from the mid-3s to 4.99 over his last four starts.

Team record: 51-46. Still 4 1/2 back of Toronto but now in the third wild card, a game up on the Angels. Next up: 3 games in New York at Yankee Stadium.

MLB News: The Mets' Francisco Lindor banged out career hit #2000.

July 20-22, 2029: at NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: 0-4 L. LP-German (5-3, 1.1 4 3 3 0 2, 3 HR). German left early with a blister but not before giving up 3 solo homers and the bats were limp noodles, only managing four hits.

Game 2: 8-10 L. LP-Moran (1-3). Starter-Sears (5 6 3 3 1 10). HR-Arakawa (1), Wong (4), Santana (25), DeLoach (14). Quite possibly the worst loss of the year as they were up 8-2 in the 6th before the pen gave up 4 runs in both the 6th and 7th to lose the game as Cousins, Dodson and Moran combined to go 2 8 7 7 2 3 and waste a good day from the offense and a 10-strikeout start from Sears. Arakawa (his first in MLB) and Santana's homers were 3-run shots.

Game 3: 9-4 W. WP-Khattak (3-4, 5 8 4 4 2 8). HR-DeLoach 2 (16), Arakawa (2), Franco (13), Caminero (13). The bats were homer-happy again especially DeLoach, who had a 4-hit day including his pair of solo shots. Khattak wasn't very good outside of the whiffs but got the win as the pen actually shut down New York the rest of the way for a change.

Team record: 52-48. Now 5 1/2 back of Toronto and in the third wild card spot, 1/2 game ahead of Oakland and 1 game up on two more teams. Next up: Home for 3 against Cleveland.

MLB News: Ketel Marte, in his first season with Boston after 12 with Arizona, recorded his 2000th career hit.

July 23-25, 2029: vs Cleveland (3)
 

Trying to get something going we made a trade:

https://i.imgur.com/phZlimY.jpg

Rendon is a rental of course, in the final year of his mega-deal with the Angels. He's also hurt, out two weeks with back tightness, so he won't make his debut for us until August. The price wasn't terribly high as Lee had fallen out of favor as an infield backup and was back at Durham. When Rendon is ready he will likely take Marco Luciano's place at 3B; while Luciano hasn't been terrible he hasn't been great either.

Transaction: We also welcome back Ozzie Albies from his rehab assignment with Freili Encarnacion sent back to Durham.

Game 1: 3-4 L. LP-Cousins (0-1). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 2 2 3 7). A tough one as Cousins gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th to break a 2-2 tie. Albies had a nice return with 2 walks, a double and a run scored.

Game 2: 8-4 W. WP-Swanda (6-7, 5.1 6 4 4 2 5). S-Riley (4). HR-Santana (26), Franco (14). Wander was 3-4 with a double, homer and ribbie while Haro was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI to lead an unusually potent attack.

Game 3: 1-2 L (10). LP-Diaz (4-5). Starter-German (5.2 3 1 0 1 9). 3 hits isn't going to cut it, and that's what the offense came up with today wasting some fine pitching. This team just can't escape the gravitational pull of .500.

Team record: 53-50. Forget the division at this point, we're tied with two other teams 1/2 game out of the third wild card right now. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Detroit against the 39-64 Tigers where we'll probably lose 2 out of 3.

July 27-29, 2029: at Detroit (3)
 

Game 1: 1-5 L. LP-Acosta (5-2). Starter-Sears (5 4 1 1 1 4). HR-Rivera (10). Another pathetic performance at the plate and the bullpen was lousy with Acosta giving up the winner in the 6th on a homer and then Okuda reverting to early season form by allowing 3 more.

Game 2: 5-3 W. WP-Khattak (4-4, 5 5 3 3 1 4). S-Diaz (17). HR-Caminero (14), Rivera (11), Franco (15), Arakawa (3). Four solo homers paced the offense as the Rays picked up a rare win of late but the news wasn't all good as Nelson Haro strained his back on a double and will be out a little over two weeks.

Transaction: Haro goes on the IL and Robby Castillo is called up from Durham. Castillo was up at the start of the season and was terrible, but has hit at Durham (307/382/554) and will DH against righties.

Game 3: 8-7 W. WP-Dodson (3-3). S-Riley (5). Starter-Eldridge (3 8 6 6 1 3). HR-DeLoach (17). Rays overcame a horrible start from Eldridge, overturning deficits of 3-0 and 6-4 to pull this one out. Robby Castillo's 2-run double in the 5th tied it up and DeLoach's 2-run homer in the 6th was the difference as he drove in 3 on the day. Wander was 3-5 with an RBI double.

Team record: 55-51, 1 back of Oakland for the third wild card. Next up: An off-day then the Yankees come to the Trop for 3 games.

We also made a trade:

https://i.imgur.com/SPgpCiN.png

Just saved us $11.9M. That was our share of Rodriguez's contract for one more season in 2030 and with his ratings downgraded to 55/45/40 after all the injuries I really didn't want him anymore but the Angels were glad to take him off my hands. Santos was just a makeweight and will likely be released once his DFA time is up.

MLB News: Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit career homer #400.

July 31-August 2, 2029: vs NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: 4-6 L. LP-Diaz (4-6). Starter-Swanda (5.1 7 2 2 1 3). Rays came back from 4-1 down to tie it in the 8th only for Edwin Diaz to give up a pair of runs in the 9th.

Game 2: 9-2 W. WP-German (6-3, 5 3 1 1 3 8). S-Orze (1). HR-Arakawa (4), R.Castillo 2 (2). Robbie Castillo homered twice and drove in 5, Arakawa had a 2-run shot and Wander knocked in the other two as the Rays romped.

Game 3: 12-2 W. WP-Sears (1-4, 6 4 0 0 0 7). HR-Santana 3 (29), Caminero (15), Rivera (12). Natanael Santana tied a team record held by many with 3 homers, driving in 4, and Caminero knocked in 3 including a 2-run shot. JP Sears finally got his first win of 2029, dominating the team which drafted him.

Team record: 57-52, 1 behind Cleveland for the third wild card. Next up: After a series with the struggling Yankees, the competition is tougher with first-place Toronto visiting for 3 games. The Jays are 6 1/2 up so the Rays are going to have to sweep to make it a race again.

August 3-5, 2029: vs Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Riley (3-1). S-Diaz (18). Starter-Khattak (6 7 4 4 3 4). HR-R.Castillo (3), DeLoach (18), Santana (30). Santana's solo homer in the 8th broke a 5-5 tie and Castillo's homer was a 3-run shot in the 1st.

Game 2: 4-0 W. WP-Eldridge (10-4, 6 4 0 0 2 5). S-Acosta (2). HR-Luciano (15). Eldridge and Acosta combined on a 4-hit shutout and Luciano drove in 3 with a 2-run homer and RBI double to make it 4 straight wins.

Transaction: Activated 1B/3B Anthony Rendon from the 15-day IL, optioned 1B Robby Castillo to AAA Durham.

Castillo had 3 homers while filling in the last couple of weeks for Nelson Haro, and Rendon will DH in Haro's spot for now and when Haro comes back we'll see about playing Rendon and Luciano.

Game 3: 7-3 W. WP-Swanda (7-7, 6 6 2 2 4 6). S-Diaz (19). HR-Albies (10), Caminero (16), Rivera (13). I said in the previous post the Rays would need to sweep to make it a race in the division and amazingly they did, pulling within 3 1/2 of Toronto. Caminero was 4-4 with a double and a 3-run homer while Albies had a 2-run shot. Anthony Rendon was 0-3 with a walk in his Rays debut.

Team record: 60-52. In addition to pulling much closer in the division the Rays are now tied for the second wild card with Cleveland, 1/2 game up on Oakland. Next up: We head south to Miami for 3 games.

Rays news: James Wood did not sulk when he was sent to Durham a few weeks ago and may be coming back very soon. He was IL Player of the Week after going 11-22 with 3 HR and 9 RBI this week and is hitting 421/500/877 with 5 HR and 16 RBI in 15 games.

August 6-8, 2029: at Miami (3)
 

Game 1: 3-2 W. WP-German (7-3, 6.2 6 2 2 1 10). S-Moran (1). HR-Caminero (17). It was German and Caminero show as the righty was dominant, recording his second 10-K start of the year and Caminero drove in all 3 runs with a 2-run homer and RBI single, the latter breaking a 2-2 tie in the 6th.

Transaction: James Wood is up from Durham and Mitsuyoski Arakawa was sent back there. Here's hoping Wood's red-hot 3 weeks with the Bulls get him going again.

Game 2: 8-2 W. WP-Sears (2-4, 7 4 2 1 1 5). HR-Caminero 2 (19). Junior Caminero is on a tear, homering twice more and driving in 3 while Wander was 2-5 with 2 RBI and Sears was excellent.

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-Khattak (5-4, 5 8 2 2 0 2). S-Diaz (20). HR-Santana (31), Luciano (16), DeLoach (19). The Rays swept their second straight series and made it 8 wins in a row in a game which they were fortunate to win. Miami put 18 men on base in this game but only brought three of them home while the Rays were held to 7 hits but 3 of them were homers which accounted for 4 runs in the 5th. Side note: newly acquired Anthony Rendon is still looking for his first Rays hit, now 0-15 with 2 walks. Luciano was 3-4 tonight with the homer so he's making his case to put Rendon on the bench when Haro comes back.

Team record: 63-52. Thanks to the Jays losing a pair in Houston we're now only 1 1/2 back of them so there's a legitimate race in the AL East. We're also tied for the top wild card. Next up: A day off to make the longest trip possible in MLB, flying from Miami to Seattle for 3 games.

MLB News: Veteran 3B Gio Urshela announced his retirement and former Ray and current Cardinal Blake Snell tore his flexor tendon and is out 11 months.

August 10-12, 2029: at Seattle (3)
 

Game 1: 9-2 W. WP-Swanda (8-7, 7.1 4 2 2 1 4). HR-Wood (14), DeLoach (20), Santana (32), Albies (11), Caminero (20). Rays went homer-happy at T-Mobile Park and extended their win streak to 9. James Wood had the kind of big day we've been waiting all season for, doubling in 2 and hitting a 2-run homer.

Game 2: 4-14 L. LP-Eldridge (10-5, 1.1 8 7 7 1 1). HR-Franco (16), Santana (33). All good things, as they say, and the Rays win streak was over by the 2nd inning as Seattle pounded Eldridge and went up 7-0. Wander drove in 3 in a losing cause.

Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Riley (4-1). S-Diaz (21). Starter-German (5 6 3 2 2 5). HR-Santana (34), Albies (12). Rays got back in the win column thanks to Wood's RBI single in the 8th that broke a 3-3 tie. Albies had a 4-hit day including the homer and Santana homered for the fourth straight game.

Team record: 65-53. Toronto swept so we've dropped back 2 1/2 games in the East while taking over the first wild card slot. We've actually ascended to #1 in the power rankings for what that's worth (nothing, really) as the team holding the best record in the majors is the Dodgers at 68-50, only 3 games better than the Rays as nobody has dominated this season.

MLB News: Ballyhooed pitching prospect Nehemiah Bell of Atlanta pitched a no-hitter as the rookie went 9 0 0 0 3 9 against Washington on 110 pitches. And Houston's Carlos Correa, on his third tour of duty with the club, hit career homer #300.

August 14-16, 2029: vs Baltimore (3)
 

Game 1: 7-1 W. WP-Khattak (6-4, 7 3 1 1 3 2). HR-Albies 2 (14). Another big game from Ozzie with 2 homers and 3 RBI, giving him 4 taters in his last 4 games. Wander was ejected for starting a brawl after being hit following Albies' first homer, and is suspended for two games.

Game 2: 3-2 W. WP-Diaz (5-6). Starter-Sears (1 1 0 0 0 0). A weird one that turned into a bullpen game when Sears left with back stiffness but won't miss his next start. The Rays scored twice in the 8th to tie it and walked it off in the 9th when Nelson Haro's 3rd hit of the day was an RBI single; he had an RBI single in the previous inning as well.

Game 3: 3-5 L. LP-Swanda (8-8, 5.1 8 5 5 1 7, 3 HR). HR-Caminero (21). Swanda's lousy season continued today as every time the bats tied it or got close he gave up a critical homer. One bat not helping is Anthony Rendon as the trade deadline acquisition is only hitting 162/262/189 in 37 AB so far.

Team record: 67-54. Still 2 1/2 behind Toronto and still in the top wild card spot. Next up: 3 games in Boston where the Red Sox are the team just outside the wild card spots, 2 behind Texas and 3 behind us.

August 17-19, 2029: at Boston (3)
 

Game 1: 7-8 L (10). LP-Diaz (5-7). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 4 4 0 4). HR-Caminero (22). A gut punch of a game for the Rays as they lost a 5-2 lead in regulation and then after Caminero's 2-run homer in the 10th Edwin Diaz gave up a 3-run shot with two out in the bottom of the inning to lose it. Haro had 4 hits and Rendon had his best game as a Ray, doubling, tripling and driving in a pair but it wasn't enough.

Game 2: 2-7 L. LP-German (7-4, 6 3 3 3 3 8). Boston broke open a 2-1 game with 5 in the 7th off German and Jake Cousins, and that was that.

Game 3: 11-2 W. WP-Khattak (7-4, 7 7 2 2 1 7). HR-Rendon 2 (2/17), Rivera (14), Wood (15). Rays salvaged the finale with Rendon driving in the first four runs on his pair of homers while Angel Rivera was 3-4 with a double, homer and 3 RBI.

Team record: 68-56. Now 3 behind Toronto in the East and still in the first wild card, although it's close behind them with Oakland fourth but only two games back. Next up: An off-day then back to the Trop to play 3 against Texas.

MLB News: The Angels, 3 games out of the third wild card but 7th overall in those standings will see their slim playoff chances get even slimmer as they've lost two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani for 7 weeks or essentially the rest of the regular season with a hamstring strain.

August 21-23, 2029: vs Texas (3)
 

Transaction: Claimed P Donye Evans on waivers from the Mets, DFA'd P Charlie Ruegger. Evans was in the Mets' rotation from 2025-2027 and struck out 708 men in those 3 seasons but after a 5.65 ERA in the last of them he fell out of favor, spending 2028 and much of this year at AAA Syracuse and in the pen when with the big club. He still boasts 80 stuff although it comes with 45 movement and control. But if they're giving him up for free, I'm going to take it and see if he can help our pen.

Game 1: 3-2 W. WP-Evans (1-0). S-Diaz (22). Starter-Sears (4 5 2 1 1 2). HR-DeLoach (21). Rays came back from 2-0 down to take this one thanks to Haro's 2-run double and DeLoach's tiebreaking homer in the 5th. And Donye Evans was electric in his Rays debut, going 2.2 0 0 0 2 7 to earn the win in middle relief.

Game 2: 9-5 W. WP-Swanda (9-8, 5 4 2 2 3 6). HR-Rendon (3/18), Franco (17), Santana (35). Texas scored twice in the top of the first but the Rays answered with 5 in the bottom of the inning, capped by the suddenly hot Rendon's 3-run shot.

Game 3: 4-7 L. LP-Eldridge (10-6, 3.2 8 6 6 2 5). HR-Santana (36). Eldridge has turned in bad starts in 4 of his last 5 outings and today's brought his ERA up to 4.79 as the Rays couldn't come back from the 6-0 hole he put them in. They nearly did though, getting within 3 and having the bases loaded with nobody out in the 9th before two strikeouts and a fly ball snuffed out the rally.

Team record: 70-57. We're now within 1 1/2 of the Jays again, and ensconced in the first wild card spot. Next up: The other Texas team comes to town as the 74-53 Astros, tied for the best record in baseball, visit for 3.

MLB News: The Cardinals' Tyler O'Neill hit career homer #300.

August 24-26, 2029: vs Houston (3)
 

Game 1: 10-2 W. WP-Khattak (8-4, 5.1 4 2 2 2 5). HR-Green 2 (12), DeLoach (22). Elijah Green homered twice, a 2-run shot in the 3rd to get them going and a 3-run blast in the 6th to break open a 3-2 game. DeLoach was 3-5 with the homer and 2 RBI as well.

Game 2: 6-1 W. WP-German (8-4, 7 1 1 1 2 6). HR-Santana (37), Haro (10). Luis German and two relievers combined on a 1-hitter as the Rays beat the Astros again. It was a 1-1 game through 6 despite Tampa Bay out-hitting Houston 9-1 before Santana's grand slam in the 7th broke the deadlock and Haro went back-to-back with him.

Game 3: 5-4 W. WP-Evans (2-0). S-Diaz (23). Starter-Sears (4 3 3 2 3 3). Elijah Green came through big again, driving in 3 including a 2-run triple in the 6th to break a 3-3 tie. Caminero was 3-4 with a pair of RBI singles and Sears had to leave with a strained back and will miss two weeks as the Rays swept the team which came into the series with the best record in the AL.

Team record: 73-57. Houston no longer has the best record in the AL thanks to the Rays' sweep of them and Toronto's sweep of the Angels which was capped by a ridiculous 8 1 0 0 0 17 game by the Jays' Luis Medina in a 1-0 win. As a result the Rays remain 1 1/2 back in the East but are now 4 up in the first wild card against the #2 team. Next up: That #2 wild card team comes to town as Boston visits for 4 games.

Tampa Bay is now 18-5 in August and that includes a 3-game losing streak.

August 27-30, 2029: vs Boston (4)
 

Transactions: Marco Luciano had to leave a game in the last series with elbow tendinitis, and it's serious enough that he's going to miss the rest of the regular season although he could be back for the playoff. Freili Encarnacion is up for him. Also JP Sears goes to the IL with his back strain and a blast from the Rays' past is up as Phoenix Sanders gets the call. Sanders was in the Rays' system from 2019-2023 and was claimed off waivers from the Yankees and July and sent to Durham where he had an option. Sanders will pitch in middle relief and Donye Evans will get a start or two in Sears' place.

Game 1: 17-3 W. WP-Swanda (10-8, 6 4 0 0 3 3). HR-Albies 2 (16), Jeffers (2), Wood (16). It was 16-0 by the 4th with everyone in the Rays lineup registering at least one hit, one run scored and one RBI. Albies was 2-3 with 2 walks, 2 homers and 3 RBI; Wood had two doubles, a homer and 4 RBI; and Nelson Haro was 4-6 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

Game 2: 2-8 L. LP-Eldridge (10-7, 4 7 5 5 1 6). HR-E.Green (13). Boston returned the blowout favor as Eldridge is in a real funk over his last four starts, allowing 22 runs in 14 2/3 IP.

Game 3: 5-6 L. LP-Diaz (5-8). Starter-Khattak (6 3 2 2 3 5). HR-Franco (18), Rivera (15), Wood (17). This one hurt as Edwin Diaz gave up a 2-out, 3-run homer to Brian Reynolds in the 9th to lose it after the Rays took a 5-3 lead despite managing only four hits, the last of which was Freili Encarnacion's 2-run double. To make matters worse Zach DeLoach was hit by a pitch after Rivera's homer and charged the mound, earning a 4-game suspension.

Transaction: DeLoach goes on the restricted list and Mitsuyoski Arakawa is recalled for the duration of DeLoach's suspension.

Game 4: 2-5 L. LP-German (8-5, 5.1 8 4 4 2 6). After a 19-5 run which included the opener of this series the Rays have now lost three straight as Brian Reynolds picked up where he left off yesterday with a 2-run homer in the first off German and Boston never looked back.

Team record: 74-60. While the Rays were stumbling Toronto has taken upon itself to never lose again and they gained 3 games to go up 4 1/2 in the division, making a wild card look like the Rays' likely path to the playoffs. And their firm grip on the #1 wild card and a 3-game series at home got a lot more tenuous as Boston pulled within 2 games thanks to this series. Next up: Off to Cleveland for 3 games.

August 31-September 2, 2029: at Cleveland (3)
 

Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Evans (3-0, 6 2 0 0 1 4). S-Diaz (24). HR-Rivera (16), Rendon (4/19). Donye Evans was dazzling in his first Rays start and homers from Rivera and Rendon tacked on to a 1-0 lead.

Transactions: Robby Castillo and Charlie Ruegger were brought up from Durham for September roster expansion.

Game 2: 5-6 L. LP-Okuda (2-4). Starter-Swanda (4 6 5 4 2 6). HR-Franco (19), Santana (38). Rays trailed 5-0 going into the 6th when Wander hit a 2-run homer and Santana followed later with a 3-run shot to tie it, only for Okuda and Acosta to combine to allow the winner in the 7th.

Game 3: 1-2 L (10). LP-Diaz (5-9). Starter-Eldridge (6 5 1 1 2 4). Eldridge finally gave them a good start and then the bats went silent, and Edwin Diaz lost his 9th game (never a good number for your closer) when he allowed a homer to Kris Bryant in his second inning of work. The Rays have now lost 5 of 6 after their 19-5 run.

Team record: 75-62. We've now dropped into a tie with Boston for the first wild card and the division has become a pipe dream again as we've fallen 6 1/2 back after closing to 1 1/2 only a week ago. Next up: An off-day then a return home to play 3 against Seattle.

September 4-6, 2029: vs Seattle (3)
 

Transaction: Bullpen stalwart and our top lefty reliever Jovani Moran tore his rotator cuff and his Rays career is likely over. He was already scheduled to be a free agent at season's end and now he'll miss all of 2030. It's a real blow to the pen as he might have been our most consistent reliever this year. Veteran lefty Adrian Morejon's contract was purchased from Durham as he had signed a minor league deal earlier.

Game 1: 6-1 W. WP-Orze (5-5). Starter-Khattak (4.1 5 1 1 2 4). HR-Rendon (5/20), Caminero (23). Anthony Rendon continues to pay dividends as he was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a solo homer to lead a diverse attack. Unfortunately though Walt Khattak had to leave the game early with a strained triceps.

Transaction: Khattak goes on the IL with his strained triceps, another blow to the rotation although he'll only miss the 15 days he'll have to sit. With no additional pitchers on the 40-man and the 40-man full, 1B/DH Robby Castillo was recalled where he continued his big year with Durham while struggling with the big club. He'll be used as a pinch-hitter with Caminero and Haro holding down 1B/DH.

Game 2: 7-2 W. WP-German (9-5, 5 5 0 0 1 6). HR-Santana 2 (40). Natanael Santana's big power season continued as he cranked two-run homers in the both the 2nd and 3rd innings to help the Rays to a quick 7-0 lead and reach the 40-dinger mark. Haro had a big 2-run double as well.

Game 3: 2-1 W. WP-Riley (5-1). S-Diaz (25). Starter-Evans (6.2 3 0 0 1 7). Donye Evans was brilliant again and has yet to allow a run in his first 18 innings as a Ray but lost the win when Trey Riley gave up a run in the 8th to let Seattle tie. Fortunately the Rays came right back in the bottom of the inning on an Anthony Rendon RBI single to complete the sweep and right the ship after some lousy results of late. Edwin Diaz's shaky run continued as he allowed hits to the first two men in the 9th but got the next three including the final two on strikeouts.

Team record: 78-62. After winning 12 straight Toronto finally lost in its series finale so the Rays did gain a game but are still 5 1/2 back. More importantly they moved a game ahead of Boston into the all-important first wild card spot in order to potentially host a series. Next up: Oakland visits for 3 games - the A's are fourth in the wild card standings 6 1/2 behind the Rays so Tampa Bay can potentially reduce its playoff magic number substantially.

September 7-9, 2029: vs Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: 3-1 W. WP-Swanda (11-8, 5.2 8 0 0 1 5). S-Diaz (26). HR-Haro (11). Rays pitching was in trouble all night (16 baserunners allowed) but kept getting out of it, and Haro was 3-4 with an RBI single and solo homer to supply the offense.

Game 2: 5-4 W. WP-Okuda (3-4). S-Riley (6). Starter-Eldridge (5 5 2 2 2 6). The teams exchanged the lead several times before the Rays went up for good in the 7th on RBI singles from Wood and Albies. Wood was 3-4 while Albies drove in 3 thanks to an earlier 2-run single.

Game 3: 2-5 L. LP-Orze (4.1 4 3 3 2 4). HR-Wong (5). Eric Orze's return to the rotation was going well for 4 innings before he turned into a pumpkin and the bats were muted today as the club's 5-game win streak came to an end.

Team record: 80-63. Toronto and Boston were both swept, enabling us to climb back within 3 1/2 in the division and go up 3 on Boston for the first wild card. Next up: After an off day we'll be able to do something about the division deficit with 3 games in Toronto.

September 11-13, 2029: at Toronto (3)
 

Transaction: JP Sears was activated off the IL, Phoenix Sanders goes to Durham and Eric Orze goes back to the bullpen.

Game 1: 2-12 L. LP-German (9-6, 4.1 5 5 5 2 7). The Jays administered a butt-kicking as usual for us in Toronto as a 2-2 game was broken open by a 5-run Jays 5th.

Game 2: 3-4 L. LP-Sears (2-5, 4.2 6 4 4 0 2). We hung in there this time but striking out 17 times is never an optimal thing for an offense.

Game 3: 2-5 L. LP-Swanda (11-9, 5 8 5 5 3 3). HR-Franco (20). Wander's 2-run homer in the 1st gave us the lead for the first time in this series but it was short-lived and Toronto exposed the Rays as AL East pretenders, moving 6 1/2 ahead after the sweep with only 16 games remaining.

Team record: 80-66. Not only is the division now out of reach but Boston has pulled within one game of the first wild card, our real goal at this point. Next up: Back home for 3 against Kansas City.

MLB News: Kyle Tucker, whom we rented in 2025 and gave us a nice 7-WAR season, hit his 300th career homer in his second tour of duty with Houston.

September 14-16, 2029: vs Kansas City (3)
 

Game 1: 4-2 W. WP-Dodson (4-3). S-Diaz (27). Starter-Evans (4 4 2 2 4 7). HR-Santana (41). Santana's 3-run homer in the first propelled the Rays to victory in the opener.

Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-Eldridge (11-7, 6.2 4 1 1 2 6). S-Diaz (28). HR-Santana (42), Franco (21). Another big 3-run homer from Santana, this time breaking a 1-1 tie in the 4th, won it for the Rays as he reached the 100-RBI mark for the first time in his career.

Game 3: 3-6 L (15). LP-Ruegger (0-1). Starter-German (4.2 4 2 2 4 5). Rays should have had the sweep but Trey Riley blew the lead in the 9th as Edwin Diaz was tired from the previous two days. Ironically it finally got to the point where we had to throw Diaz back in there and sure enough he gave up a 3-run homer in the 15th with Ruegger's men aboard to lose it.

Team record: 82-67. We did gain a game on the Red Sox, now 2 up in the first wild card and with a magic # of 8 to clinch a playoff spot. Next up: An off-day then 3 games in Milwaukee. The Brewers are MLB's worst squad at 46-103 so I'm sure we'll lose 2 of 3.

MLB News: Trea Turner of the Cubs slugged career homer #300.

September 18-20, 2029: at Milwaukee (3)
 

Game 1: 13-3 W. WP-Sears (3-5, 6 7 2 2 1 5). HR-DeLoach (23), Albies (17), Caminero (24), Santana (43), Franco 2 (23), Wood (18). Rays hit four homers in the first off Lucas Giolito and didn't stop homering after that, getting 7 in all in the rout. Wander drove in 4 total and DeLoach had 4 hits including his homer.

Game 2: 7-1 W. WP-Swanda (12-9, 6 5 1 1 2 6). HR-Franco (24), DeLoach (24), E.Green (14). This was a somewhat close game until Green hit a 3-run homer in the 8th to break it open. The news wasn't all good though as James Wood tore his labrum and is done until next April while Eric Orze has a strained forearm and is done for a month.

Transactions: Wood and Orze go on the IL, Walt Khattak comes off it and we purchased the contract of veteran OF Ian Happ from Durham.

Game 3: 12-4 W. WP-Evans (4-0, 5 2 2 1 1 11). HR-Santana (44), Haro (12), Rivera (17). Nelson Haro had a monster game, going 3-5 with the homer and 5 RBI while Santana drove in 4 as the Rays outscored the worst team in baseball 32-7 in the sweep. Meanwhile Donye Evans continues to be a revelation in the rotation.

Team record: 85-67. We're now 4 up in the first wild card over Boston and have a magic number of only 3 to clinch a playoff spot. Next up: Our interleague odyssey continues with 3 in Cincinnati against the 64-88 Reds.

September 21-23, 2029: at Cincinnati (3)
 

Game 1: 1-6 L. LP-Eldridge (11-8, 5 4 2 1 2 8). HR-Albies (18). A frustrating game as the Rays had many chances to score but couldn't, and then Cincinnati got 4 off the bullpen late to put it away.

Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Cousins (1-1). S-Diaz (29). Starter-German (5 7 3 3 1 5). HR-E.Green 2 (16). Elijah Green had a big day, driving in 4 with a pair of homers including a 3-run shot in the 7th to cap a 4-run inning that erased a 3-2 Reds lead. Caminero was 3-5 with an RBI and Haro had 2 hits including an equalizing RBI single.

Game 3: 16-1 W. WP-Sears (4-5, 5 4 1 1 3 5). HR-Rendon (6/21), Franco (25), Arakawa (5), Albies (19). Rendon's 3-run homer sparked a 5-run 1st and the Rays piled it on from there. Arakawa was 3-4 with the homer and 3 RBI and Angel Rivera also plated 3.

Team record: 87-68. We've officially clinched a playoff spot and the magic number to clinch the first wild card and a series at home is down to 3. Next up: Home for 4 against the Yankees.

MLB News: Toronto is on its way to the AL East title and the #1 seed and Alek Manaoh pitched a no-hitter for them against the Cubs, going 9 0 0 0 5 11 on an epic 138 pitches.

MLB Playoff Race Update: As we enter the season's final week here's where things stand. In the AL Toronto and Houston will win their divisions while Minnesota and Cleveland are tied for the AL Central lead. And those two teams are further tied with Boston for the remaining two wild cards, leaving the Rays' opponent up in the air for now but all should make the playoffs. In the NL the Cards and Dodgers have won their divisions but Atlanta and the Mets are tied for the East lead. They're both 2 ahead of Philly and all three teams will make the playoffs, leaving a wild card for Arizona which is 3 1/2 up on San Diego.

September 24-27, 2029: vs NY Yankees (4)
 

Game 1: 9-8 W. WP-Okuda (4-4). S-Diaz (30). Starter-Swanda (4 6 6 4 4 2). HR-Albies 2 (21), Rivera (18), Caminero (25). Ozzie Albies' 2nd homer of the game was an 8th-inning slam to erase an 8-5 deficit and give the Rays a win in a real back-and-forth affair. It was 8-3 when Caminero hit a 2-run shot and Albies ended the game with 5 RBI.

Game 2: 7-6 W. WP-Cousins (2-1). S-Riley (7). Starter-Evans (4 5 4 4 1 8). HR-Franco (26), Santana (45), R.Castillo (4). Deja vu all over again as back-to-back homers from Santana and Castillo put the Rays ahead in the 8th for another late comeback win. Wander was 3-4 with 3 RBI, including a homer and a double. Donye Evans had his first "bad" start as a Ray but he still fanned 8 in 4 innings.

Game 3: 8-13 L. LP-Eldridge (11-9, 2.2 9 10 10 2 2). HR-Franco (27), E.Green (17). No comebacks today as Eldridge (you read his line right) put the Rays in a 10-3 hole which the gamely tried to dig out of but even 8 runs wouldn't be enough. Green knocked in 3 with a 2-run double and solo homer and Caminero had a 2-run double.

Game 4: 8-4 W. WP-Dodson (5-3). S-Diaz (31). Starter-German (4.2 9 3 3 1 4). Rays picked up win #90 in another high-scoring affair with the Yankees. Wander and Caminero were each 3-4 with 2 RBI with Wander scoring 3 runs and Albies was 3-5 with a double.

Team record: 90-69. We did cut the division lead to 3 with 3 games left but since Toronto won the season series from us 8-6 (it seemed like 12-2) they clinched the division. No matter though as the Rays did clinch the #1 wild card and will host an opponent TBD in the Wild Card Round. Next up: Detroit comes to the Trop to close out the regular season in a trio of meaningless games.

MLB Playoff Race Update: The playoff fields are essentially set but Minnesota and Cleveland remain tied for the AL Central lead and they also sit in the #2 wild card spot, a game ahead of Boston. Atlanta is a game up on the Mets in the AL East, the loser of that division will be the #1 wild card.

September 28-30, 2029: vs Detroit (3)
 

Game 1: 8-2 W. WP-Sears (5-5, 7 2 0 0 1 6). HR-Franco (28). Wander's 3-run homer and Elijah Green's bases-clearing triple were the big hits as most of the regulars got a rest.

Game 2: 4-3 W (12). WP-Dodson (6-3). Starter-Khattak (6 5 2 1 3 5). HR-Franco (29). Nobody wants an extra-inning game when you're playing out the string but Caminero's RBI single, his third hit of the game, put an end to it. Wander is closing with a flourish as he had 3 hits as well including a 2-run homer that tied it in the 8th.

Game 3: 1-8 L. LP-Okuda (4-5, 0.2 3 3 3 0 0). Okuda got the start, gave up 3 runs in the first, and left with a minor injury that forced us to use way more of the bullpen than we wanted to and it wasn't pretty.

Final Regular Season Record: 92-70. Considering this team was flirting with .500 for the first four months of the season that's a pretty good record. Next up: The Wild Card Round, in which we'll be hosting Boston.

Playoff Race Update: There wasn't a lot of suspense other than the seeding in both leagues. Cleveland hung on to win the AL Central with only 85 wins and Atlanta outlasted the Mets in the NL East.

MLB News: Wander's hot finish got him some recognition:

The hard-hitting shortstop from Tampa Bay, Wander Franco, wielded a big bat in September and was hailed as the American League Batter of the Month. He hit a healthy .379 with 11 home runs, 26 RBIs and 25 runs scored. Posting a .310 batting average to date, Franco has 29 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Also congratulations to former Ray and current Jay Austin Meadows on career homer #300.

Final 2029 Regular Season Standings & Rays Stats
 

https://i.imgur.com/1odsvNj.png

Texas ace Robert Ahlstrom, the best pitcher in the game, won the pitching Triple Crown, adding 291 strikeouts. The MVPs in both leagues appear pretty clear as well. And that's old friend Luis Patino of the Dodgers with a shot at the NL Cy.

https://i.imgur.com/Y66c7gh.png

In the end this turned out to be a pretty good team once it got out of its own way around the first of August. The offense found its stride, nobody ran the bases better, and pitching was always pretty good. The defense stunk, but that's true for about 95% of the teams in my saves.

https://i.imgur.com/hl8lp4Y.png

Ozzie Albies had a nice bounceback season and it would have been even better had he not missed about a quarter of the season, although Kolten Wong filled in for him admirably. Santana had a massive power year and Elijah Green was a revelation in limited playing time and might not just start against lefties in the playoffs. One of these years James Wood will live up to his ratings but this was not that year.

https://i.imgur.com/oaStQlZ.png

It was a weird year for the staff as we had a fair number of injuries and ten different guys started games. While nobody had a real standout season, we still led the league in ERA (albeit at a high 4.01) and fewest runs allowed. It turned out our best run came when guys we were looking at as relievers turned out to be solid starters (German, Evans, Sears) while the guys we looked at as staff anchors (Swanda, Eldridge, Bradley) either had down years or got hurt. The bullpen was pretty good although Edwin Diaz had an off-year allowing too many homers and blowing a few too many saves.

https://i.imgur.com/DzUv5ox.png

Now that elite prospect Nelson Haro has graduated the farm system is bereft of help for 2030 and our top 3 prospects all came from this year's draft. It's not pretty.

October 2, 2029: NL Wild Card Game 1
 

October 3, 2029: AL Wild Card Game 1 & NL Wild Card Game 2
 

Let's roll...

https://i.imgur.com/dcy3Voe.png

John Swanda had a mediocre regular season - especially by his lofty standards - but when the bright lights came on he responded, pitching 6 dominant innings and leading the Rays to a 5-0 win in Game 1 of their best-of-3 Wild Card series with Boston. Angel Rivera and Nelson Haro delivered big 2-run hits and now the Rays came advance to the ALDS against Toronto with one more win. Luis German will get the ball tomorrow to try and make that happen.

Elsewhere the NL Wild Card Round is over already:

https://i.imgur.com/OjFMbt5.png

Joey Gallo hit 2 homers in both games of the series to lead St. Louis to a date with Atlanta in the NLDS while the other one will feature the Phillies and Dodgers.

October 4, 2029: AL Wild Card Game 2
 

Let's play three...

https://i.imgur.com/QuKod2H.png

For a while there it was looking like a replay of Game 1 with Luis German picking up where John Swanda left off, striking out Red Sox left and right and the Rays had an early 2-0 lead. But it all went wrong in the 6th when German came out on 83 pitches and walked the leadoff man and then Walt Khattak came on in relief and despite his 75 movement gave up back-to-back homers to turn the game around in Boston's favor. Tampa Bay bats went limp after that and now it's down to an all-or-nothing Game 3. Donye Evans will get the start with Bryce Eldridge poised to relieve him early if necessary.

This will be the only series in this round still going, as while the Twins lost out on the AL Central to Cleveland on the final weekend they won what mattered, their wild card series:

https://i.imgur.com/xtBb70D.png

October 5, 2029: AL Wild Card Game 3
 

Movin' on...

https://i.imgur.com/Sf3qPxf.png

The Rays went up 6-0 after 2 and coasted to a 6-1 win in the decisive wild card Game 3 and advance to the ALDS to face their nemesis of the past two seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays. Donye Evans was the latest Rays starter to dominate the Red Sox as Rays pitching accumulated 46 strikeouts over the 3 games and Anthony Rendon made that deadline trade worth it with a 2-out, 2-run single in the 1st to break the ice before adding another RBI knock in the 2nd. Bryce Eldridge will be tasked with a tough assignment in Toronto in Game 1 but it's better than sitting at home.

October 6, 2029: NLDS Game 1
 

October 7, 2029: ALDS Game 1 & NLDS Game 2
 

A good start...

https://i.imgur.com/ezHZeLB.png

The Rays visited their recent personal house of horrors the Rogers Centre and came away with an 11-8 Game 1 win over the Jays to get a leg up in the best-of-5 series. They jumped on Jays ace Luis Medina by going double-double-triple to start their game on their way to 3 quick runs and although Bryce Eldridge gave them right back on a 3-run Bo Bichette homer the offense kept piling on runs, helped by 8 Jays walks as they broke it open with a 4-run 8th. That should have been enough to win comfortably as they took an 11-4 lead into the 8th but Jake Cousins and Aldry Acosta (who couldn't get anyone out) made quite the mess, allowing 4 and bringing the tying run to the plate. Edwin Diaz, whom we had hoped to not use, put an end to the nonsense with a whiff and a ground out and Tampa Bay hung on. John Swanda will go tomorrow to try and really play with more house money.

Elsewhere former Ray Curtis Mead hit a walk-off single to win one for Houston to start their ALDS, and the Cards and Dodgers take commanding leads in the NL:

https://i.imgur.com/LurkXNE.png

October 8, 2029: ALDS Game 1
 

Heading back to St. Pete all even...

https://i.imgur.com/1Rhn3ru.png

In the polar opposite of yesterday's high-scoring Game 1, the Jays got a pinch-hit 3-run homer from Gabriel Moreno off Adrian Morejon and a great game from Kyle Muller to beat the Rays 3-1 and even up the series. Rays batters just couldn't get anything going off Muller and it wasn't until the 9th when they got a rally going against Toronto's closer that they looked like scoring. They did, and had men on first and third with one out but Natanael Santana grounded into a game-ending double play. So Luis German will try to keep the ball inside Tropicana Field in two days' time in a game the Rays will really need.

It's all even in the other ALDS as well:

https://i.imgur.com/jLzHGl9.png

October 9, 2029: NLDS Game 3
 

https://i.imgur.com/RcFHPzR.png

The Cardinals were one out away from the NLCS when Austin Riley hit a dramatic 3-run homer for Atlanta to keep them alive in their NLDS. They would have joined the Dodgers, who swept the Phillies thanks in part to former Rays catcher Diego Cartaya who homered in each of the three games.

October 10, 2029: ALDS Game 3 & NLDS Game 4
 

Not ready for prime time...

https://i.imgur.com/7Se8dma.png

I ended my recap of Game 2 by stating that Luis German would need to keep the ball in the park in Game 3, and that's precisely what he didn't do. German has top-shelf stuff but is a bit homer-prone and today it cost him as did a couple of extremely poorly-timed errors. The first came from Wander Franco in the opening frame as his error prevented a 1-2-3 inning, saw German walk a guy with 2 out and then give up a 3-run shot to former Rays star Austin Meadows. And in the 4th Anthony Rendon's error kept alive an inning that saw Wander fail to make a play with two out on an infield hit, setting the stage for a Vlad Jr. slam which put the game out of reach. And really it was out of reach after the first as the Rays could only manage 3 hits on the day including a pair of meaningless solo homers. So it's up to Donye Evans tomorrow to help keep the season alive and force a Game 5 in Toronto.

The Rays can only hope to emulate Atlanta, which has come off the mat and forced a Game 5 in their NLDS while Minnesota has grabbed the advantage in the other ALDS:

https://i.imgur.com/ao8Yx4C.png